Shidokan Atlanta: Be Well Rounded Part II

Shidokan Atlanta: Be Well Rounded Part II: In my last post, I talked about being a well rounded martial artist. I said that one can seek perfection in more than one discipline. To thi...

Be Well Rounded Part II

In my last post, I talked about being a well rounded martial artist. I said that one can seek perfection in more than one discipline. To this day, I am always trying to perfect my skills in all ranges of combat (punching, kicking, grappling, etc.). Here are some clips of me in this quest. As a Kicker, my sport of choice is Tae Kwon Do http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1l8a65M6Bs As a Grappler, my sport of choice is Judo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-L4GTFFYfCY For overall striking, Boxing and Kickboxing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEN9Ythdbdg My MMA experiences are throw Shidokan Triathlon (karate, kickboxing, grappling) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFkbZ3I4-Ek

Be Well Rounded

In looking at today's combat sports, in particular Kickboxing and MMA, fighters have to have a well rounded game. Being one dimensional in combat sports makes it harder for you. Let's not confuse one dimensional with ineffectiveness. People watch Kickboxing and MMA and assume that these sports are superior to individual disciplines for real fighting or self defense. Keep in mind that the guy who trains MMA is not superior in the individual disciplines. You can be a champion in Kickboxing, but that does not mean you can be one in TKD (kicking) or Boxing (hands). You can be a good submission guy in MMA, but that doesn't mean you can be as good in Judo or BJJ. In a real fight the specialist is at a disadvantage if not his element, but he is dangerous in that element. My personal goal as a martial artist is to perfect my skills as best I can in individual as well as mixed.

Ineffective Martial Arts Techniques

In looking at a lot of martial arts out there, many systems are just not effective. I won't call any names (don't want to offend LOL), but in looking at teaching methodologies, philosophies, theories, etc., I'd like to share some principles that is necessary to know what is effective. If you are training with an instructor who has no fighting experience, get a new one. If you are learning a deadly technique (that's too dangerous to train with a non-compliant partner) watch out. If you are learning to defend yourself and you don't practice consistently, it won't work when the stuff hits the fan. If you don't have impact practice (against bags, pads, people, etc.) or spar, your techniques probably won't work.

Pro Fight Karate Match

Here's a good match from the French Promotion, Pro Karate Fight. Fisher Striker takes on Yoann Kongolo in an exciting match. You will see punches, kicks, knees, elbows and a couple of takedowns. This style of competition is a cross between MMA, Muay THai and Karate. You won't see any ground fighting, but you will see some intense action. http://www.profightkarate.com/crbst_136.html

Learn New Stuff Or Remembering Old Stuff?

Everybody always wants to learn new stuff. What about what you already know? The older I get the more I know what I don't know. We've all heard that before. Despite all the cool new excercies and techniques I learn, it always cool to revisit the old excercises and techniques. By doing this you remember that they are just as good as the new stuff.

Street Fighter Vs. Reality Defense Fighter Vs.Sport Fighter

Who would you put your money on in a street fight? The Street Fighter, the Sport Fighter or the Reality Defense fighter? I'm gonna put mine on the Sport Fighter. Now, anything can happen in a real fight. A guy lands a sucker punch or pulls a weapon out unseen, etc. This can happen to any of the 3. But, looking at what a full contact fighter goes through to prepare for competition (running, pad and bag work, sparring with well trained partners, etc.), this fighter gets repitition of effective fighting. Sure, the reality defense fighter, will say that the it's sport and not real. But, a hard punch, kick, knee, elbow, choke, joint lock, etc. delivered on a non-compliant opponent trained to receive these techniques is as real as it can get.